Published: November 09, 2009 09:30 am      

Editor reflects on a hero

Sunday, November 8, 2009 — As we consider the events at Ft. Hood on Thursday and prepare for our observance of Veteran's Day on Wednesday, we are once again hit right between the eyes with the horrors of war and the demons that man's divisions create among us. When immersed in this vein of contemplation, my mind often recalls one of our own, Jim Nance, whose life has and continues to be an inspiration for me. The following column paid tribute to him back in December 2004 and is run again today with our prayer that those involved in war, both across the world and tragically at Ft. Hood, will endure with the same faith as exhibited by my hero:

My senior high school annual has a photo of the Albemarle High wrestling team, one that has been interestingly a good predictor of the future.

The photo has all the team standing in a semi-circle, save two juniors, and each has his best “meet face” on. In the center-front of that semi-circle, the two juniors strike a wrestling pose with one in the dominant position. His intense eyes speak from the photo, leaving no doubt, Jim Nance was one tough wrestler.

Just a few years later, U.S. Army Green Beret Jim Nance took that same intensity to the rice patties and villages of Vietnam, serving America in this controversial war.

Many years later and while serving as the Stanly County Veterans Services Officer, Jim Nance came to New London Methodist and gave the 11 o’clock Sunday morning message.

Dressed in his best military threads, his taut body and intense expression presented an imposing presence, one that was truly recruitment poster quality.

Once at the pulpit, he assumed a position of parade rest, found a spot on the back wall of the sanctuary, and his intense focus zeroed in.

For 20-25 minutes, his focus never wavered from that spot, never considered a written note. Rather, he soulfully recounted the courageous saga of many and their unrelenting faith in God that sustained them through the horrors of war.

In recounting the story of a gravely wounded young private, being flown back to base in a chopper, he told of the caring young lieutenant and the private locking eyes and becoming one in spirit.

As the young private lapsed in and out of consciousness, he would implore of his soul mate: “Lieutenant, please tell me about Jesus.” And again, he was gone to unconsciousness, only to return again with the anguished plea: “Lieutenant, tell me about Jesus.”

This scenario played out several times, then finally the young private’s earthly trials were completed.

As Jim Nance told that story and shared his own personal faith, every eye in the sanctuary was riveted on his steely-eyed presence.

A few years later, and after his own improbable car accident had left him totally paralyzed, Jim Nance returned to New London Methodist in his motorized wheelchair and shared how his faith had sustained him through this ordeal.

That Sunday morning, he showed the congregation a get-well card that had only a picture of Christ on the front. It had been sent him by members of a Stanly County church.

That day and with the same emotional intensity of his powerful, previous message, Jim Nance shared how that picture had been taped to the ceiling over his bed. Able to move only his eyelids, he focused exclusively on this picture of Christ, and in so doing, his faith saw him through.

As with years before, every eye in the congregation was again riveted on this living testimony, although this time, there was not a dry one in the house.

Once again, Jim Nance had inspired me.